Posts filed under 'Fish + Bait'
Fly fishing is a specific type of fishing where a synthetic fly is used as bait. The “fly” is attached to the hook and swung over the surface of the water to attract fish. Moving the fly correctly in order to entice a fish to bite is one of the more difficult activities involved in fishing.
It is quite difficult to catch fish using flies, and fly fishing is an entirely different sport than standard fishing. There are two ways that a person can learn the skills and techniques needed to successfully fly fish. One option is to buy one of the many books that offers fly fishing instructions and advice. The advantage of books is that readers can learn at their own rate, focusing on particular techniques that seem particularly challenging. A major disadvantage to the books is that readers cannot watch someone else demonstrating the techniques. The other way to learn to fly fish is to take a guided fly fishing trip. A guided fly fishing trip features a trained guide who will teach participants the techniques needed to master this difficult activity.
A guide teaches students what type of fly and rod to use and the techniques to this sport. People who go on guided fly fishing trips learn to assemble their tackle, make appropriate knots, release a fish so that it can live to the next catch, and the basics of casting.
Fly fishing is rapidly becoming more popular, and it is easy to find a guided fly fishing trip for any experience level. It is a good idea to check the credentials of the guide in order to insure that the trip will be educational and fun.
Fly Fishing Trips provides detailed information about fly fishing trips, fly fishing gear, fly fishing knots and more. Fly Fishing Trips is affiliated with Bed And Breakfast Maine.
December 13th, 2007
Frustrating as it is, carp fishing is awesome. Carp are really good at sucking in and blowing out suspicious baits. It’s such an excitement to see the whole action in a fraction of a second as you hang on for dear life while the reel is trembling with a loud noise.
Carp happily devour on the surface as long as you keep the pellets, biscuits, chic peas, bread, and re-hydrated corn coming in, and these are inexpensive baits as well. Just attach them to the hooks, most preferably the bread. Have the biscuits softened by dipping it in the water for about 2 minutes, then, place them in a sealed sandwich bag for about an hour. Since different brands have different textures, just experiment to know which is firm enough to cast. Another way to hook baits is super gluing the pellet into the shank.
Once they get into feeding, let them feel comfortable around the bait. This gives more opportunity for the fisherman since they begin to not feel picky. This tactic can be useful for zig rigs.
As soon as they’re feeding, cast the bait but make sure not to drop the bait directly onto the feeding carp. Cast away from the feeding area then slowly draw it in position. While the bait is till hanging, keep the food coming in so as to keep the carp from going away.
How to Set-Up?
• Use a hair rig to increase your chance of catching. As carp taste food first, if they don’t like the taste, they won’t come near it.
• You may also use a Spider Line, 50 lbs test, then use a leader material that fits the situation.
• Thread the bait on the baiting needle and hook the hair loop. You may also use foam dipped in a flavor as this enhances the attractiveness of the bait.
• Also make a baiting needle by just straightening a long shank hook. Slide the bait on the shank, then slide the bait from the needle onto the hair.
• Using a float is also an advantage because it adds weight for further distancing and the location is easily identified.
• Don’t forget the controller float rig. A leader can be used which is attached to the swivel to its mainline of at least 3 feet length with a 10lbs Drennan double strength. A low diameter mono will do just as long as it floats well enough for visibility.
As experts say, it is not the bait that catches the carp but the method in which the bait is introduced. Pre-bait everyday, in one spot for a few days. This makes the carp think that there is a regular source of food for them and by “word of mouth” there’ll soon be a school of fish around. Just be patient and it will all work.
Travis Clemens is a life time fisherman and he knows the ins and outs of gettinem on the hook! You too can gettem on the hook with Travis as your guide! www.best-fishing-tips.com
November 14th, 2007
…But what sort of engine inside?
In the modern world of tractors there are endless variations on engines, much like the saloon car market. You can get Huge capacity (20ltr) diesel engines with 4 turbo chargers, small efficient diesels (2 ltr) and even the odd biofuel powered one!
So how do you decide which is best suited to your farm? Trabants for sale. Essentially its best to get the most efficient engine for the use - so if your just using it for small farm/tractor errands then a littler engine suits fine. However if you are working it hard 10 hours a day then a larger engine will likely pay for itself in easelessness of operation.
Diesels are obvious choice because of the efficiency’s of red diesel in using farm tractors. However Biodiesel is also available now - although rare it does offer slight fuel efficiency improvements. u92T engines are great.
September 7th, 2007
One of the key factors in choosing saltwater salmon fishing lures is to stick to the bright and luminescent colors rather than sticking to the colors that the shad or baitfish normally display. Since saltwater fishing is typically done by using a trolling method, salmon fishing lures should dance and shimmer in the water, attracting the hungry fish to strike quickly on the bait and securely take the hook. The less brilliantly colored lures are great for fishing in fresh water and are often excellent for freshwater salmon fishing, but the salmon fishing lures for saltwater need to be colorful.
Using when using the trolling method and saltwater salmon fishing lures bait is also used. Bait can be minnows, worms, plastic worms or live worms, eggs or maggot larva. The choice of bait will largely depend on what the fish are hitting on as well as what is available at bait shops in the area. If you are fishing a new location spend some time talking to bait shop owners to find out what is ideal for the fish and the water conditions.
Some of the most commonly used salmon fishing lures include spoons, and the brighter the better. Silver or gold spoons with patterns or diagonal lines of bright blue, white, lime green, flame orange, brilliant yellow or even pink and bright purple work well. Avoid spoons with black, brown or other dark colors, stick to the highly visible colors. Spoons may either have a treble hook off the back of the spoon or they can have a single hook, often the size of the spoon combined with the type of bait that is to be used for trolling determines the best type of hook.
Plugs are also popular salmon fishing lures for saltwater. Plugs are short or long tubular looking plastic or wood lures that generally resemble the shape of a baitfish. Typically there will be an exaggerated eye painted on the front of the plug and a single or series of two single or treble hooks attached to the belly. Often the treble hook is the second hook in the series allowing the fishing to be hooked with the single hook and then the treble hook is also set, providing security in keeping the salmon on the line. Plugs have been traditional salmon fishing lures for many generations and there are antique plug displays in many fishing museums and sports and wildlife exhibitions around the United States and Canada.
There are also bait rigs used on the West Coast of Canada and the United States that combine a spinner blade, beaded body for vibration and reflection in the water then a single hook followed by a treble bait hook. Typically herring, worms, shrimp or anchovies are then baited on the treble hook for a complete presentation for the salmon. These salmon fishing lures are gaining increasing popularity in large fresh water bodies of water as well.
———- http://fantasticfisherman.wholovesmoneyauthority.com/lures/permalink.php?article=Salmon+Fishing+Lures.txt
August 13th, 2007
Old Fishing Lures May Be Worth Lots Of Money
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Old fishing lures is a bit of a general term, but basically any fishing lure that is made from one of the many founding fishing lure companies in America may be considered old or antique, rare or collectable. There are several different factors that will increase or decrease the value of old fishing lures and even amateur collectors should be aware of these factors.
One of the biggest considerations in the value of old fishing lures is how long ago they were made. Some of the original Heddon and Pflueger , Shakespeare, Jamison and South Bend lures were made in very limited qualities, making these extremely rare and valuable. As the making of lures became more mechanized and less hand crafted, greater numbers of lures were made, therefore decreasing their value since there are many more still in circulation.
In addition to the age of old fishing lures their condition is also important. Many novice collectors make a drastic mistake in attempting to recondition, restore or fix-up old lures, even by just matching paints and touching up a scratch or chip on the lure. This restoration actually decreases the value of the lure and may even may it unsuitable for collectors, so never attempt to cosmetically or physically alter the appearance of old fishing lures.
There are also the cases or boxes that old fishing lures were sold in that can definitely add value to the lure or can even be of value themselves. These old boxes, usually cardboard but occasionally tin, are the highlight of many antique fishing lure collectors displays. The boxes often were thrown away by the original owners so are much harder to come by than the actual lures themselves.
It is not uncommon for very rare and very well preserved antique fishing lures to sell for several hundred to several thousand dollars each at collectors shows and exhibitions. If you are planning on getting involved in this fascinating hobby it is important to be able to spot valuable old fishing lures in tackle boxes and garage sale discards and bargains. Not knowing the value of the fishing lures can lead to missed opportunities to cash in on rare finds. The National Fishing Lures Collectors Club is a great organization to get started with in learning about how to value and appraise antique and old fishing lures accurately and how to contact collectors about items needed or lures for sale. In addition there are many online websites that provide detailed information on authenticating old lures and how to know what year and type of lure you are examining. The websites will also help collectors learn about how to correctly display and preserve old fishing lures as well as how to exhibit and present lures in the most effective way.
———- http://www.fantasticfisherman.com
July 29th, 2007
Bass fishing tackle is the material or equipment that you need in order to be able to catch a fish. Bass fishing tackle can entail everything from hooks to lines, weights and other such additional, helpful pieces that will have you catching all the bass fish you have ever wanted to.
There are many different opinions on what bass fishing tackle to use, what is the best, what is the worst. Much of it can be helpful, but you also want to be sure that you take the time to experiment with some yourself. You might just end up having a different experience.
To help you purchase the best bass fishing tackle for your needs there are many bass fishing tackle stores that can help you. These stores can give you advice, offer you special deals, and even teach you more about the great sport of bass fishing. For example, if you are new to the fishing world in general, terminal tackle is a specific type of bass fishing tackle. It is the tackle that is tied to the end of a fishing pole line and can include a hook, a weight, and a lure to name just a few options.
Also, depending on what type of bass fishing you are planning on endeavoring into will determine what type of bass fishing tackle you will want to choose. For example, for deep sea fishing or inshore fishing you will need to use different types of tackle. If you choose tackle that does not suit the fishing location, your fishing experience will not be as fruitful.
For your ultimate guide on all your Bass Fishing needs just follow the links in the post to Your Fishing Source. There you will find useful articles, news, links and resources on all your fishing needs.
July 9th, 2007
Arriving early at a local carp fishing lake, it was blowing up a good ‘un and chucking down with rain. Should make for a quiet day on the lake. It should also make the fish easy to find. A wind like this on a mild, bet wet day, and the carp were bound to be on the far end of the wind. I got my bivvy set up in record time and pegged it down hard against the fierce wind.
A few handfuls of pellets and chopped boillies went in tight to the margins under an overhanging bush and another few went about 10 feet from the bank into a 3 foot wide channel which the carp ofte move through.
After casting out, I settled down into my bivvy, but after only a few seconds, my alarm screamed. The result after a short but spirited fight was a 9lb 4oz mirror. A nice start to the session and it was still only 7:30. The next 3 hours accounted for a further 5 mirrors culminating with a fish of 12lb 2oz. All of these fish had come from tight to the margins.
I had not had a peep from my other setup, but I was confident that there would be some movement through the channel. However, as I had returned the 12 ponder, my alarm. I scrambled over to my other rod and struck hard. I knew straight away that this was not another mirror, as they tend to be strong but slow on this water. This fish raced right across the lake in just a few seconds. It put up a great fight, but I eventually slipped my landing net under a beautiful, full-bodied, dark gold common. It weighed in at 20lb 8oz.
The rest of the day produced a further 5 high singles - all mirrors again. I was soaked through to my boxers, but happy and satisfied with a great day. Around 100lb in around 9 hours. Mind you, that was poor compared to the £300 my wife spend in just 4 hours at the sales!
June 29th, 2007
If you are looking for an incredible holiday vacation, then a fly fishing trip is the perfect answer. It is both educational and adventurous. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced angler, you will have a fabulous experience if the trip is well planned.
Walk/wade trips and float trips are the two common types of fly-fishing trips. The walk/ wade trips give you the unique feeling of catching your favorite fish standing thigh deep in the water. Should you choose a float-fishing trip, you will enjoy fishing off shore.
Finding the right place to go is key to a successful fly-fishing trip. You find a place on your own or depend on a trip service provider. Before starting your trip, make sure you have a first aid kit and a location map. Your equipment should include all the necessary fishing tools such as steel rod pods, line and spare spool, throwing sticks and hackle pliers. In addition, you should remember to purchase a fishing license if required.
Owens River, Piru Creek and Deep Creek, Delaware River, Stillaguamish River and Idaho Falls are some of the perfect locations to arrange your fly fishing trips.
An extensive line of service providers such as hotels, resorts, wilderness lodges, outfitters and B&B’s are available at most fly fishing sites. You can find more information about fly-fishing trips in fishing publications, libraries, and on the Internet. Those outlets will also provide you with knowledge about how to tie your own fly - from choosing and buying materials, to tying techniques, to casting methods, and more.
Fishing Trips provides detailed information on Fishing Trips, Fly Fishing Trips, Canada Fishing Trips, Alaska Fishing Trips and more. Fishing Trips is affiliated with Deep Sea Fishing Boats.
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June 21st, 2007
Drop-shotting has been touted as one of the hottest “new” techniques around, but it has been around since the mid 1970s. Drop-shotting has been revived in the last 5 years by Japanese anglers, who started using this technique to catch the bass in their clear, highly pressured lakes, but saltwater anglers, and panfisherman have been using this technique for many years to catch finicky fish suspended off the bottom. In the past few years, tournament anglers have adopted this technique to put hard to catch fish into the boat. It is an excellent technique for catching deep bass, and bass that are highly pressured in many of the tournament waters all over the US.
The techniques that are used today have been refined, but the basic technique has remained the same for 30 years.
BASIC TECHNIQUE
The most simple explanation of this technique is that drop-shotting is a vertical presentation using light line, over top of fairly snag free structures.
A sinker is tied to the line, which is usually 8-12 pound test, and a hook is tied on the line, about 1-3 feet above the weight. A soft plastic bait is usually nose hooked, and the rig is lowered to the depth of the fish. Most anglers use their electronics to locate the structure, baitfish, and bass, and the rig is brought into the area where the strikes are suspected. The baits action is controlled by a slight shaking, or gentle twitching of the rod tip.
This is a very simple explanation, but drop-shotting can be much more refined and more complicated.
The types of hooks used for this technique vary greatly with each individual anglers preference. There are many anglers out there today that prefer the short shanked style of hooks for drop-shotting. These are called “Octopus” hooks. Many times these hooks are colored red, which many anglers believe bass see as a wounded bait. There are also many companies who manufacture pre-rigged drop-shot rigs, so you don’t have to waste a lot of time tying them when you get on the water. Others prefer to tie the rigs themselves, but this is something that most do ahead of time, so they can save valuable time on the water for fishing.
Most bass fisherman, myself included, prefer a straight shanked hook, because in places where there is current, these styles resist some of the line twisting that occurs in these situations. I like to use a ball-bearing swivel myself, which prevents most of the line twisting that can occur. I tie on a swivel as a connection between the line and leader. I always use a black swivel for this and other techniques in clearer water, as I believe it doesn’t spook wary bass. I also use the smallest swivel I can get away with. I use a Superline for these techniques also, as I believe it aids in detecting subtle strikes in deeper water. I like a braided line such as “Spiderline” for this. I always use the “Spiderline” in stained water, but at places like Table Rock Lake in Missouri, and some other clear water areas around the country, I use a Fluorocarbon line, as the braids are easier for the bass to see. In most of the clear, deep, highland reservoirs that we fish, this is very important. Also, by using a fluorocarbon line, I can go up in size to a higher pound test without the bass being able to detect it.
This type of fishing is really a “Finesse” technique, a term which has been abused in recent years by many anglers. If you aren’t delivering a small bait, on light line, in fairly deep water, then I don’t really consider it finesse fishing.
WEIGHTS
You can use almost any kind of sinker for this technique, but I really like to use the “quick release” style of weights. If the conditions on the water change, such as the wind picking up, the current increasing, or if you move to deeper water, you can quickly change to a heavier weight without having to retie. Some examples of this type of weight are the Duel Quick Change Lead Sinker, and the Zappu. These rigs are specifically tailored for drop-shotting techniques. Another really good type sinker that we found recently, is the Bakudan. This weight is ball shaped, as has a swivel-like line tie that reduces line twist.
Line twist can sometimes be a problem with these rigs in wind, or deep water situations, and anything that helps reduce this is a definite plus. This type of weight also has something the others don’t. It has a line clip that lets you change the distance between the lure and the weight, without having to retie. Another method for changing the sinker quickly is to simply tie a loop at the end of the drop-shot leader using an overhand surgeon’s loop. To properly fish this, and other rigs, a knowledge of many different knots is recommended. Practice tying these knots in the off season, and it will increase the time you spend fishing, instead of tying.
Another technique for drop-shotting, is to tie a regular bass jig, (usually a 1/4 to 3/4 of an ounce), at the leader end instead of the lead weight. With a surgeon’s loop, different weight jigs can be changed quickly. Sometimes, the bass will hit the jig while you are using the drop-shot rig in your usual areas. Some anglers like to use a “pinch-on” split shot also. You can also thread a bullet weight on the drop-shot leader, below the hook and lure, with a split shot squeezed on below the bullet weight to hold it in place. More weight can easily be added to this rig quickly, and you can spend more time fishing.
TYING THE HOOKS
Tying the hooks on drop-shots is a refined technique, and can be done a couple of ways. I always use a Palomar knot, beginning the knot on the hook point side. This is done before tying the rig on the sinker. This is done so that the hook lays at a right angle to the leader. This is a better way to get a good hookset on light biters. Another way can be to take the leader end, after the Palomar is tied, and thread it back through the hook eye, then attach the rig lead. This way the hook shank lays against the line, which I believe, improves hookups.
PLASTIC BAITS
I like to use a variety of soft plastics on these rigs, but most of the time, I use a small 4″ finesse worm, or a Yamamoto “Senko,” in the 4 inch size. Another good choice is the French Fry worm, and other types of hand poured plastic baits, such as a Roboworm. A small tube can also be effective, as can a Yamamoto spider grub. This is only one of many great finesse fishing techniques that produce bass when they are deep, or highly pressured. Learning the many different techniques available today, will help you put more bass into the boat when they are hard to catch.
Steve VonBrandt
Sponsored by: GYCB (Yamamoto),Okuma, Delaware Tackle, TTI-Blakemore, and Ambush Lures.
Steve is the owner of Reeltime Anglers Guide Service in Wilmington, Delaware, Anglers Radio in Delaware and New Jersey, Reeltimeanglers, Bass Lure Review, and Delaware Tackle in Delaware. He also is a tournament angler and freelance outdoor writer. He has over 40 years of fishing experience in the Northeast, 5 years exp. in California. He has fished freshwater and saltwater since 1962, and has devoted to freshwater only since 1989. http://www.reeltimeanglers.com
http://www.delawaretackle.com
June 13th, 2007
The sun is about to rise and the weather is crisp. You pack your tackle box, grab your pole and buy some worms. You make your way to the fishing dock dreaming you had the perfect fishing boat so you were landlocked no more. Now that dream can become reality with these 4 easy tips for finding and purchasing the perfect fishing boat!
Have a clear understanding of the purpose of the fishing boat. Obviously the boat is going to be used for fishing, but is it going to be used on oceans or in lakes? For day time trips or overnight stays? If you play to stay in your boat overnight, be sure to choose a boat with a hull which will allow you to ride the waves much better than a boat without one.
Make sure to have a clear understanding of your budget. Boats are very expensive items. You should be well acquainted with your finances before you take on the extra burden of a boat purchase. Boats with hulls for overnight stays and rough waters are obviously more expensive than small boats for small lakes. Know your limitations.
Read and understand the warranties fully before making a purchase. A warranty can be your best friend. Make sure the dealer you buy the boat from offers you the proper coverage in case there is any defect or problem with your boat. You don’t want to end up having to pay huge amounts to fix your boat because you forgot to check out the warranties!
Make sure the boat has proper certification .The NMMA, or the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association is an organization that tests boats that are manufactured by different companies. They only certify those boats that pass their rigorous testing. Any boat certified by the NMMA is one that you would feel safe owning.
Also, just like cars, boats must be registered. Be prepared to register your boat just like your vehicle (i.e. paying money). On top of that expense, you must now stock your boat with life jackets, brand new fishing gear, food and a cooler so you can get fishing!
Dana Goldberg is the owner of The Boats Blog. On her blog you will find tips and advice on buying or selling a boat.
May 22nd, 2007
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